A Mary A Reed Blog about Movies

Party Like a Star on Oscar Night: A Menu of Fame

The night of the Academy Awards is a time for movie lovers all over the world to celebrate great film talent with friends and good food.

To impress the guests at your Oscar party with a fun menu, try this suggestion: Whip up some memories of your favorite Academy Award-related movies associated with food, then add the name of your muse.

Here is a fun party menu tied to Oscar nominated films.

Cagney Vodka and Grapefruit Cocktail

In “The Public Enemy” (1931), Jimmy Cagney shot to stardom and shocked audiences when he pushed a grapefruit into Mae Clark’s face. Combine one part vodka to two parts grapefruit juice and stir, all the while wondering how bad guy Cagney charmed America – read more –

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The full article “Party Like a Star on Oscar Night: A Menu of Fame” is published on Yahoo! Movies at this link:

Most wineries in California are now located in the central region of the state. This one is just off Alameda Street near Temple and Main in downtown L.A. for your dining and wine-tasting pleasure.

Family oriented, it is owned and operated by the Riboli Family, a major presence in Los Angeles and the wine industry community for over 90 years. Although most of their wines come from their vineyards in select coastal regions of California, they also hand craft their wine from nearby estate vineyards. As a long-time Angeleno, I remember hearing stories of wagons full of grapes traveling from the foothills of Glendale to the San Antonio Winery. Community members just recently re-planted those grape vines after the devastation of the 2009 Station Fire.

The Mary & Tracy Show: Food & Lifestyle Edition

All about Chocolate!

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A Recipe for Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Ganache Layer

Do you know eating chocolate is the same as enjoying a big, sloppy kiss? Your brain and heart do! Do you know why it melts in your mouth? Or how truffles are made, or how about chocolate ganache? Is it only for dessert? How do you store it? Is white chocolate really chocolate? Where can one get the very best chocolate recipes on the internet? Why has it been in the news lately? We answer all these questions and MORE in this fun and informative show. Tune in!

Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Recipe for Chocolate Ganache: Place 9 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat 1 cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully. Pour over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 tablespoon of rum if desired. Allow to cool slightly before pouring over a cake. By Ingridevogel at Allrecipes.comYum. Tune in for more info and more recipes.

The Mary & Tracy Show: Food & Lifestyle Edition

All About Cheese!

We discuss different types and sources of cheese, the history of cheese, and ways to eat cheese including delicious recipes. Learn where to go for cheese-tasting at local stores, farmers’ markets and factories. Recipes including “Tracy’s ‘Tomato and Cheese Crostini,” and “Sun-dried tomatoes and sliced brie on Rosemary Toast.”

Join Mary and Tracy, and our co-host Noreen every week on our “Food and Lifestyle Edition.” We have an opinion on everything! We will be joined for this series of shows by Noreen as our co-host. The show airs live on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. pst, 3 p.m. central and 5 p.m. est. Join in the conversation! We will see you there. This show is also available on iTunes and by podcast immediately following the live broadcast.

The Mary & Tracy Show: Food & Lifestyle Edition

Pasta Tips and Tricks

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Nalini’s “Presto! Pesto!” Recipe

Pasta Tips and Tricks

We discuss 1) methods of making pasta, 2) best shapes of pasta for holding sauces or making soups, 3) pasta sauces including the use of organic products, 4) adding vegetables, spices and herbs into the cooked pasta itself, and 5) pesto and other pasta sauce recipes.

Nalini’s “Presto! Pesto!” Recipe

Nalini’s “Presto! Presto! Recipe: Loosely fill cuisinart w/fresh basil (not stems) leaves; add 3-4 cloves garlic, hand fulla nuts (toasted pine, roasted cashew), grated white Italian cheese and good quality olive oil. Puree and salt to taste. Use fresh parsley and other fresh herbs (such as lemon balm or a bit of rosemary or cilantro). Get creative! Great on pasta or grilled fish. When I make fresh tomato (&cream) soup, I add a walloping portion of pesto to it. Yum. Tune in for more info and more recipes.

The Mary & Tracy Show: Food & Lifestyle Edition

Baking Pies, Tarts, Pastries and Breads

We discuss baking methods including: baking with dry and moist heat, baking in the oven and the ground, and a little bit about the history of baking. Also, learn about the difference between sweet and savory pies, tarts and pastries, quick breads (coffee cakes, banana bread), and yeast breads (wheat, white, rye, sourdough).

A Simple Recipe for Good Quiche

Noreen Brown’s “Simple Recipe for Good Quiche”: Buy a pastry shell from the freezer section of the grocery store. Thaw and bake according to directions for a single crust pie. Grate 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese right into the cooled baked shell. Chop 1/4 cup of scallions and mix with 1 cup of cooked chicken breast, thawed frozen spinach and salt & pepper. Add to the cheese in the pastry crust. Beat 2 eggs with 1 cup of milk or cream, and add salt & pepper to taste and pour over the ingredients in the pastry crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until set and puffy. Tune in for more info and more recipes.

The Mary & Tracy Show: Food & Lifestyle Edition

Alice Waters and Organic Gardening

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Salad Recipes with Arugula

Alice Waters and Organic Gardening

The organic food concept is in the midst of a revolution. The legendary Alice Waters pushed for an organic garden at the White House and got it, and the idea has taken root in the public schools across the U.S. “She has done more to change how we Americans eat, cook and think about food than anyone since Julia Child … It is a movement that preaches about fresh food grown in a way that’s good for the environment,” and gives a boost to local farms to boot! Quote from CBS News.